When the young student Tyen unearths an ancient book, it opens the door to a realm of mystery and danger. For it holds a clue to a disaster facing the world.

Elsewhere, in a land ruled by priests, Rielle has been taught that to use magic is to steal from the Angels. Yet she has a talent for it, and desperate times may force her to risk the Angels’s wrath.

But not everything is as Tyen and Rielle have been raised to believe. Not the nature of magic – and not even the people they trust.

First Thoughts

I loved the start of this book, a young wizard archaeologist discovering an ancient book that was forged from a living person. I couldn’t wait to read on.

Characters

Tyen – young wizard trying to do the right thing but caught up in events and used as a scapegoat. He is forced to flee everything he knows. Because of this, I felt he was too trusting of others he met along his journey.

Riselle – she is fated to be married off with little say. When she takes matters into her own hands, well more stumbles along into situations, she makes her plight worse. There was a lot of self reflection on her part, but in all I preferred reading her story and wanted things to turn out better for her.

Style

At first I was annoyed that we had followed one character for so long and then switched to a new VP. But I was instantly drawn into Riselle’s world and had the same annoyance when the story switched from her back to Tyen.

Summary

I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but the rest didn’t live up to the start. It was not the book I was hoping it would be. It’s hard to say why without spoilers.

Final thoughts

I can’t help feeling disappointed by this book. At the start I had such high hopes for a fast, actioned packed read, which is was in the beginning. Somewhere around 300 pages, I can’t pinpoint a particular place, my attention fizzled out and it was a struggle to finish the rest of the book. I think part of that rests with the problem that I came to dislike reading Tyen’s scenes – I couldn’t picture the magic flying carts, nor the magic battles he was involved in. The magic of his world is well thought out, but for me lacking something… I’m not sure that I want to carry on with the rest of this series.

As lucciagray pointed out you’ve written a review of a book you didn’t like that much in a great and positive way :). I’m certainly still interested in reading this book even if you found the second part disappointing. Keep up the reviewing, you’re very good at it :)<3 !